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UK election
UK election 2024 LIVE updates: Labour set to form majority government as polls close
The polls have closed in the UK and Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is poised to take power, sweeping away Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives after 14 years.
- by Rob Harris, Jessica McSweeney, Nick Ralston and Angus Thomson
Updated
Paris 2024
Fifth Olympics looms for Boomers stalwart Ingles amid brutal selection calls
Stalwart Joe Ingles is set to retain his place for Paris 2024 and play in a fifth Olympics while NBA defensive ace Matisse Thybulle has been left off the final roster.
- by Roy Ward
Biden says he is ‘first black woman to serve with a black president’
A week after Biden’s disastrous debate with Donald Trump has left the former fighting for his political life.
- by Andrew Buncombe
Australia news LIVE: Fatima Payman defection fallout continues; Labour landslide predicted in UK vote
Follow today’s Australian news headlines with our live blog.
- by Josefine Ganko
Opinion
Racism
Batter to boat-rocker … and neither Khawaja nor Dutton will back down
As a breed, Australian cricketers are generally on the conservative side of things, but the softly spoken opener has shattered the convention.
- by Peter FitzSimons
‘There’s always a little bit of green in the hairline’
The Wicked star pulls back the curtain on her journey from theatre usher to her dream musical role.
- by Elizabeth Flux
Record-breaking weather system brings rain and freezing mornings
Rain in Sydney and record-breaking cold in Victoria is down to an abnormal “anticyclone” that could go down in history.
- by Angus Dalton
Analysis
UK politics
Celebrations will be short-lived for Starmer, staring down Britain’s monumental challenges
Britain’s new prime minister faces perhaps the most monumental challenges of any incoming UK leader since Clement Attlee’s Labour Party won in a landslide in 1945.
- by Rob Harris
In Depth
Paris 2024
Head start: the psychology of competing at the Olympics
The Olympic Games are unique - and so are is the pressure that come with racing in them. Not everyone finds a way to handle it.
- by Greg Baum
Security guard convicted over depraved plot to rape and kill British TV star
Gavin Plumb had been attempting to live his “ultimate fantasy” and was described by the prosecution as someone who had an “obsession” with TV host Holly Willoughby.
- by Connor Stringer and Will Bolton
Five burning questions for Wallabies v Wales
A new-look Wallabies take on Wales on Saturday in their first match since the World Cup disaster, and there is no shortage of talking points.
- by Jonathan Drennan
How Australia’s music cartels are driving up the cost of live shows
The ACCC has told a parliamentary inquiry that “vertical integration” adds as much as 20 per cent to the cost of live music events in Australia.
- by Karl Quinn
Can reality TV stars be politicians in Australia? Survivor star King George thinks so
Known on the show as the king of Bankstown, George Mladenov was the first back-room political operative on Australian Survivor. Now he’s considering getting back on the hustings.
- by Jordan Baker
Exclusive
University
‘A very curious deal’: The $340m uni campus with a $1.8b price tag
Property developer Lang Walker gave generously to Western Sydney University. His company stands to gain far more.
- by Patrick Begley
Opinion
UK election
When I met Starmer, he’d have won my ‘least likely PM’ vote. Look at him now
He’s cautious, a bit bland and with no big vision, but he’s ousted the crooked Conservatives in this chaos-weary country.
- by Kathy Lette
Opinion
Marriage
What makes for a good husband? It’s the small things
At a time when almost half of Australian marriages end in divorce, TV presenter Richard Hammond has some smart advice for men. And it’s got nothing to do with a sexy hotel stay or a Zamel’s catalogue.
- by Kate Halfpenny
Updated
World markets
ASX inches lower; French and UK stocks take spotlight amid elections
Miners and banks dragged the Australian sharemarket lower on Friday despite European stocks rising, as key elections held centre stage and Wall Street closed for the July 4 holiday.
- by Millie Muroi
Joe Biden says he needs more sleep and will avoid events after 8pm
Biden began a conversation with governors by declaring he was continuing in the presidential race, leaving some feeling that any further discussion was chilled.
- by Reid J. Epstein and Maggie Haberman
Analysis
Wallabies
The currency of hard graft: Deciphering Joe Schmidt’s first Wallabies team
Rugby Australia bosses would sell their grannies for a win over Wales on Saturday but Schmidt appears focused on the long game.
- by Iain Payten
And you thought the Taylor Swift tour was bonkers...
A new book celebrating 60 years since The Beatles toured Australia is the deepest dive into the Fab Four you could imagine.
- by Michael Dwyer
Labour set for crushing UK election win, polls predict
An exit poll coinciding with the end of voting at 10pm local time forecasts Labour will win 410 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons.
- by Rob Harris
Exclusive
NRL 2024
Panthers part ways with Taylan May after confidential settlement
After a series of off-field dramas, 22-year-old centre Taylan May has played his last game for the three-time premiers.
- by Adrian Proszenko and Michael Chammas
Brazil’s ex-president indicted over undeclared diamonds from Saudi Arabia
The jewellery would have been exempt from tax had it been a gift from Saudi Arabia to Brazil, but not Jair Bolsonaro’s to keep for himself.
- by Gabriela Sa Pessoa and Mauricio Savarese
The billionaire ‘French Rupert Murdoch’ shaking up the election
The rise of Marine Le Pen to front-runner in the French election is closely intertwined with the emergence of a powerful conservative media machine backed by billionaire Vincent Bolloré.
- by Benoit Berthelot and Tara Patel
‘Feels a bit worse’: Kokkinakis out of Wimbledon as injury strikes again
Only two Australians remain in Wimbledon contention after a day of elation mixed with heartbreak and missed opportunities, capped by an emotional Thanasi Kokkinakis injury withdrawal.
- by Marc McGowan
Why it’s illegal for Spain’s teenage star to play 90 minutes at Euro 2024
Lamine Yamal has taken the tournament by storm - but the 16-year-old could be costing his team €30,000 every time he plays past 11pm due to Germany’s labour laws.
- by Vince Rugari
Australian Olympians may face a wee problem on the Seine during opening ceremony
Olympic organisers have planned a spectacular opening ceremony like no other down the River Seine. However, there could be an issue.
- by Tom Decent
Nova Peris makes her dancing debut, but there’s one politician she won’t ask for advice
By competing on Dancing with the Stars, the former Olympian and politician wants to prove “anything is possible”, no matter your age.
- by Bridget McManus
Her pop career became soul-destroying. So she torched it and rebuilt it on her own terms
With Burnt Tapes, Eves Karydas shows young female musicians a path beyond sexist industry expectations.
- by Robert Moran
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
US sees major ‘breakthrough’ in Israel-Hamas talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Joe Biden he has decided to send a delegation to resume stalled negotiations on a hostage release deal with Hamas, their administrations said.
Opinion
Work therapy
Did my workplace trick me into signing away my bonuses?
Workers should always read their contracts carefully, as once signed, there can be little you can do to change it.
- by Jonathan Rivett
Diagnosing dementia is complicated. An algorithm could change that
Scientists in the US and Australia are using artificial intelligence to keep up with an estimated 78 million dementia cases by 2030.
- by Angus Thomson
Opinion
Ethical living
If you care about your offspring, you should support ‘nature positive’
So much has been lost, and with such serious consequences, a consensus has emerged that we must now commit to nature repair.
- by Ross Gittins
Exclusive
Sydney emergency
Colleagues distraught at drowning of ‘kind-hearted soul’
Kaushik Chatterjee’s death has shocked friends and co-workers after he got into strife at a remote Ku-ring-gai beach.
- by Carrie Fellner
Fewer than 10 child athletes will head to Paris. Ruby is one of them.
Skater Ruby Trew has been competing internationally since she was six. She will be among a handful of children vying for gold in Paris.
- by Jordan Baker
Opinion
Jobs
Why do young people hate their jobs? I’ll give you a clue
Why should young workers slave away at a job they hate when the traditional rewards of hard work, such as owning a house, are so far out of reach?
- by Jim Bright
Sydney’s housing reforms have shaken up the city. There’s more to come
The premier says the need to get more homes built, particularly for young people, is not going to disappear any time soon.
- by Christopher Harris
Need more than a warm inner glow: Call to pay whistleblowers
The man whose actions led to the banking royal commission has backed an inquiry’s call for whistleblowers to be paid, saying it will encourage more to come forward.
- by Shane Wright
Surprising NSW regional towns where rents rose most
The median weekly house rent in NSW regional and coastal areas is the highest yet, only $175 a week less than Sydney.
- by Sue Williams
Safe bet? Investors take savage haircuts in commercial real estate
Selling buildings that seemed like a safe bet when purchased three years ago is hurting investors’ hip pockets.
- by Nicole Lindsay
Flying to Europe? Here’s how to get a free (or cheap) stopover on the way
Why arrive exhausted? Some airlines are offering a free stopover, while others offer major discounts on hotel stays and more.
- by Julietta Jameson
Witchery has a new, edgier look. Reactions have been mixed
It’s Witchery’s turn to hit the reboot button on its 54-year history. While some embraced the change, not everyone was happy.
- by Melissa Singer
Exclusive
Franchising
Bubble tea battle: Sharetea Australia ‘very happy’ after three-year fight against Taiwanese giant
Sharetea Australia has gained the exclusive rights to use the brand in the country – but it faces ongoing battles with disgruntled franchisees.
- by Jessica Yun
Can Kevin Costner pull off his craziest career move yet?
Costner has defied the odds before, but the four-part, self-funded Horizon series is by far his most ambitious project yet.
- by Nell Geraets
From Port Arthur to racism in sport, You Can’t Ask That creators tackle Australia’s biggest moments
I Was Actually There revisits big moments in Australian history with eyewitnesses, and makes for riveting viewing.
- by Karl Quinn
Opinion
Sexism
Gen Z men have a problem with feminism. We need to talk about why
Earlier this year, a global study found one generation of men more than any other thinks feminism has gone too far. That generation, I’m uncomfortable to say, is mine.
- by Daniel Cash
Moses frustration hits boiling point as Eels sink to fourth-straight loss
South Sydney mastered the wet conditions at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night to continue their mid-season revival with a 32-16 victory against Parramatta.
- by Billie Eder
‘Very happy’: De Minaur books third round spot in straight sets
Australia’s top hope Alex de Minaur has booked his third round spot after defeating Spain’s Jaume Munar in straight sets on day four of Wimbledon.
- by Marnie Vinall
East coast gas crisis to hit sooner than expected: ACCC
The competition watchdog says major new supplies needed by 2027 to stop homes and businesses running short.
- by Mike Foley and Nick Toscano
Banned on one, blocked on all: Dating app abusers face platform-wide exile
Under a new industry code of conduct, users booted from an online dating service owned by a company with multiple apps will be barred across the other platforms.
- by Clay Lucas
Updated
Sharemarket
Miners, banks lift ASX after Wall Street rises; Santos surges
The Australian sharemarket surged on the back of Wall Street’s record-breaking rally, following weak reports on the US economy which kept the door open for possible interest-rate cuts.
- by Millie Muroi
‘Incredible’ first-time footage reveals intimate life of blue whales
A decade-long Australian citizen science project has unveiled the extraordinary videos.
- by Angus Dalton
Analysis
Gas
Yes, we really are dumb enough to import our own gas. Here’s why
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the current mess we’re in.
- by Mike Foley
Exclusive
Smoking & vaping
Vape crackdown in chaos with regulators unprepared, fearing organised crime
Four days into a nationwide ban on the sale of vapes, federal and state authorities are playing the blame game about who should be enforcing the rules.
- by Chris Vedelago
British teenager’s disappearance spurs speculation and sleuthing
Even as Spanish authorities called off their search for Jay Slater, online sleuths continued with conspiracies and other theories spreading across the internet.
- by Isabella Kwai and Claire Moses
Not best friends, not acquaintances: ‘Medium friends’ are complicated
It can be difficult to define a friendship, but this term puts words to these familiar relationships.
- by Lisa Miller
As it happened: Fatima Payman quits Labor; Pro-Palestine protesters arrested after climbing Parliament House
Read the national news headlines for Thursday, July 4.
- by Josefine Ganko and Lachlan Abbott
‘Once I’d finished up, I felt relief’: Buddy embraces life after the Swans
On a rare return to Sydney, Lance Franklin opens up on life after the AFL and the prospects for his former team.
- by Jonathan Drennan
White sneakers link teen to fatal Burwood crash, court hears, as victim’s family flies in
A teen faced court over the crash as the state government gave its strongest hint yet that it may ditch plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
- by Erin Pearson and Carolyn Webb
Labor’s caucus system a valuable part of democracy
While some may view the Labor pledge of caucus solidarity as a quaint anachronism, it remains the bedrock on which Labor has built a reputation as a stable party of reform and progress.
Analysis
UK election
So long UK Conservatives, and thanks for all the memes
The tumultuous Thatcher years were memorialised in song and literature, but this current generation of Tories are probably best forgotten.
- by Rob Harris
Analysis
Political leadership
Fatima Payman has hurt Labor badly. And she isn’t done yet
Senator Fatima Payman’s defection to the crossbench has caused major damage to the government. And she isn’t done yet, either.
- by James Massola
Parliament House security under review after twin protests
Four protesters unfurled pro-Palestine banners from the roof as a group of climate activists glued themselves to the floor in the building’s Marble Foyer.
- by Olivia Ireland, Angus Thompson and Jessica McSweeney
‘Full-scale offensive’: Sydney University restricts all student protests on campus
Students now need permission to use megaphones and must give three days’ notice for any protests on campus.
- by Daniella White and Lucy Carroll
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Accusations, intimidation and resignation: Senator Fatima Payman quits Labor
Rebel senator Fatima Payman has quit the Labor Party after creating a political firestorm with her decision to vote against the government over recognising Palestinian statehood.
- by Paul Sakkal and James Massola
Mankini saga to Paris with 19 broken bones in-between, Rose books his Olympic ride
Shane Rose hasn’t played it safe since a fall in March that broke bones in 19 places. Now, he’s off to Paris.
- by Billie Eder
Chinese ‘tourist’ jailed over fatal breast surgery
A Chinese national used between nine and 12 times the safe dose of an anaesthetic before performing a botched procedure that killed a Sydney woman.
- by Clare Sibthorpe and Sarah McPhee
‘An expensive and clunky footnote’: House of the Dragon improves, but is it actually good?
The second season of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones prequel has wisely focused more on the dragons, but the story-telling still feels back to front.
- by Craig Mathieson
The tactical shift behind Roosters’ most dangerous attack in 90 years
The Roosters already had a string of attacking options at their disposal. Trent Robinson’s shake-up has finally unlocked how to take full advantage of them.
- by Dan Walsh
Thousands of patients face massive cost hikes as hospitals pull plug on NIB
St Vincent’s Health Australia has given notice to the insurance giant that it will terminate its contract after negotiations broke down.
- by Kate Aubusson
Opinion
England
The Bazball reality: England entertain, but their opponents win
England’s lofty Bazball rhetoric is divorced from the reality that Ben Stokes’ team faces. They entertain; their opponents win.
- by Daniel Brettig
Opinion
Insolvency
A series of unfortunate events: Demise of Booktopia is a page turner
A blindingly bright-coloured flag appeared only a month ago when the listed company told the market that directors’ fees for the year would be paid by issuing shares, rather than in cash.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
NACC
Amid champagne gifts and shameless rorting, one institution is fighting back
The national audit office has released a series of scandalous reports that show our public bureaucracy falling apart, at a cost to us all.
- by Shane Wright
Keir Starmer was moments from quitting. Now he’s hours from being Britain’s next PM
Barring an almighty upset, Starmer will become prime minister on Friday, his Labour Party ousting the Conservatives after 14 years. It is no mean feat.
- by Rob Harris
Inner west psychologist charged with multiple sexual assaults
The assaults allegedly occurred at various health practices in Waverton, Kirribilli, Rozelle and Balmain.
- by Sally Rawsthorne
CCTV released after three women attacked in Sydney robbery spree
A major police manhunt is under way after a masked man armed with a knife and hammer robbed multiple people.
- by Jessica McSweeney
‘Endless cycle of death and displacement’: Weary Gazans on the move again
An evacuation order by the Israeli military this week covering a third of Gaza came as people are less and less equipped to handle repeated forced displacements.
- by Raja Abdulrahim
Podcast
Trial by Water
Trial By Water, Episode 5: The ‘golden thread’
Listen now to the final episode of the hit investigative podcast about the case of Robert Farquharson.
- by Michael Bachelard and Ruby Schwartz
‘Father of Tamoxifen’ researched revolutionary breast cancer drug
Jordan’s home chemistry experiments in his youth set the curtains ablaze and had to be thrown out of the window.
- by Clay Risen
★★★★★
Review
This three-way bet on the loopy power of opera is a five-star triumph
Our reviewers cast a critical eye over this week’s big shows.
- by Joyce Morgan, John Shand and Harriet Cunningham